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Silverthorn Elaeagnus pungens 'Fruitlandii'

Other plants called Silverthorn:

Phonetic Spelling
el-ee-AG-nus PUN-gens
Description

Fruitland Elaeagnus is a large, dense, irregular mounded shrub that prefers full sun to partial shade. The shrub will grow 8-15 feet tall and wide. It is a cultivar of Elaeagnus pungens- a NC invasive plant

It tolerates a range of soil types, salt spray, wind, poor soil, heat tolerant and will survive under most conditions.  For the best performance, locate in an area with clay and alkaline soil.  The foliage can become denser when planted in a location that receives more sun and the plant will grow more rapidly.

Its showy foliage is used in floral arrangements.  New growth is a silvery color that will mature to an olive green dotted with silver scales.  The underside is a solid silver that is dotted with brown scales.  

Although it can adapt to most soil textures, when planting in heavy clay soils, it can benefit the health of the plant if the soil that is removed is replaced with a good potting mix or planting mix.  With this in mind, when the location includes sandy soil, use some compost or peat moss when planting to help retain moisture.  

Young plants can benefit from the application of fertilizer in late winter or early spring using a slow-release fertilizer or organic plant food. Regular maintenance can include the pruning of a broken branch or one that is somewhat out of place. When pruning, keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on old growth.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Its parent plant is considered invasive in NC and many other states and it has the potential to be weedy and invasive. See native alternatives to the left. 

More information on Elaeagnus pungens.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#shrub#windbreak#privacy#salt spray tolerant#wind tolerant#buffer#multistemmed#deer resistant#red fruits#delicate#border planting#cutting garden#screening#delicate fragrance#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#coastal plant#hedge#long lived#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#shrub#windbreak#privacy#salt spray tolerant#wind tolerant#buffer#multistemmed#deer resistant#red fruits#delicate#border planting#cutting garden#screening#delicate fragrance#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#coastal plant#hedge#long lived#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Elaeagnus
    Species:
    pungens
    Family:
    Elaeagnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan and China
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Screening
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Irregular
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Brown-red fruits that look like drupes but are actually achenes with a fleshy outter coating.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A cluster of silvery-white, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers appear in the fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Large bluish-green leaves with silver undersides have wavy margins.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Slightly spiny angular branches have a brownish hue. Multibranched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Recreational Play Area
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Poor Soil
    Salt
    Storm damage
    Wind